Christ offered himself to his Father for our sins
The whole life of Christ is an offering to the Father. The Son of God, who came down from heaven not to do his own will but the will of the Father who sent him, says on coming into the world: “Here I am, I have come… to do your will, O God.”
“By that will we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:5-10).
From the first moment of his Incarnation, the Son embraces God’s plan of salvation in his redemptive mission: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work” (John 4:34).
The sacrifice of Jesus “for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2) expresses his loving communion with the Father: “The Father loves me because I lay down my life” (John 10:17).
“The world must know that I love the Father and that I do as the Father has commanded me” (John 14:31).
This desire to embrace his Father’s plan of redeeming love inspires Jesus’ whole life,
for his redemptive Passion is the very reason for his Incarnation: “Father, save me from this hour!
But for this purpose I have come to this hour” (John 12:27).
“Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” (John 18:11)
And on the cross, before “it is finished,” he said, “I thirst” (John 19:28-30).
Catechism of the Catholic Church (nos. 606-607)
